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Inside Communications presented by Half Street Group

In the midst of the Blizzard of 2026, we step back from the snowfall totals and power outage maps to examine a different kind of storm: public communication.

Mike Raia — founder and president of Half Street Group and former spokesperson for Governor Gina Raimondo — joins us to break down how governments manage messaging during fast-moving weather emergencies.

What We Cover:

• The Anatomy of a Storm Message
  How decisions get translated into public language — from executive orders to social posts.
• Forecast vs. Certainty
  Communicating probabilities without overpromising accuracy — and what happens when forecasts shift.
• The Politics of Snow Days
  School closures, travel bans, and the public backlash that follows either decision.
• Trust in a Whiteout
  Why tone matters as much as timing — and how credibility is built (or lost) in moments like these.
• Social Media & Misinformation
  Managing rumors, viral misinformation, and unofficial “expert” commentary during a crisis.
• Lessons from the Governor’s Office
  Behind-the-scenes insight from Raia’s time as spokesperson — what works, what doesn’t, and what most people never see.
• What Leaders Should Be Saying Right Now
  As the Blizzard of 2026 unfolds, what does effective communication look like in real time?

Why This Conversation Matters

Weather events are inevitable. Public panic isn’t. In an era of instant reaction and fractured media ecosystems, crisis communication has never been more consequential.

This episode explores the thin line between preparation and alarm — and how leadership is measured not just by action, but by words.

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Broadcast from Providence City Hall, this episode features an extended one-on-one interview with Brett Smiley on the defining issues facing Providence right now.

❄️ Snow Removal & Accountability

The mayor responds to criticism over the recent snow removal challenges, including questions about leadership, communication breakdowns, and the role of the David Morales operational plan. What went wrong? Who is accountable? And what changes are being implemented to prevent a repeat?

🏛️ Immigration & ICE

With heightened federal immigration enforcement actions making headlines, we ask about the city’s posture toward U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. How is Providence balancing public safety, immigrant protections, and state-federal dynamics?

📉 Economic Development After Plant City

The closure of Plant City raised broader concerns about downtown recovery and small business sustainability. The mayor outlines his administration’s economic development strategy and how Providence plans to adapt in a shifting post-pandemic economy.

🗳️ Democratic Primary Realities

With a potential primary challenge from David Morales, we discuss the political landscape. How does Mayor Smiley define his lane within the Democratic Party? What contrasts does he draw? And how is he preparing for what could become a competitive race?

A substantive conversation on governance, political accountability, and the future direction of Rhode Island’s capital city.

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In this episode:

1. Incident Overview
   — A mass shooting occurred Monday at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena during a high school hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Authorities say it left three people dead — including the suspected gunman — and three others critically injured. Police have described the event as a targeted incident connected to a family dispute. 
2. Community Impact
   — We explore the human toll: how the shooting unfolded, reactions from local leaders, families in shock, and the emotional aftermath for a community traumatized at what was supposed to be senior night. 
3. Political Commentary with Jim Hummel
   — Joined by Jim Hummel, Founder of The Hummel Report and host of Lively on Ocean State Media, we pivot to politics:
   • What this moment means for Rhode Island’s gubernatorial race.
   • How the two major candidates can address community safety, mental health, and public trust.
   • The narratives and lanes each campaign should stake right now to connect with voters in a season marked by violence and political anxiety.
4. Key Questions for Leadership
   — What should a governor prioritize in a crisis like this — beyond condolences?
   — How do candidates balance policy proposals on safety, gun violence prevention, and mental health support with broader campaign strategy?

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Episode Topic: Trump, Voter Rolls, and Federal Pressure on States
Guest: Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore

The Trump campaign and conservative legal groups are escalating efforts to gain access to state voter rolls and election data, framing the push as “election integrity” while critics warn it could open the door to voter suppression, intimidation, and misuse of personal information.

In this episode, Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore joins the show to explain:

• What the Trump-aligned effort is demanding from states
• Why Rhode Island is refusing to comply
• How voter data can be misused — even when requests are technically legal
• The line between transparency and voter protection
• Why this fight matters even if you trust your local election officials
• What voters should know heading into the 2026 and 2028 election cycles

This conversation pulls back the curtain on how elections are administered, how political pressure is applied behind the scenes, and why state-level officials are now on the front lines of defending democratic norms.

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Providence State Representative David Morales joins Bartholomewtown to discuss his primary challenge against Mayor Brett Smiley. Morales is positioning his campaign as a grassroots, progressive alternative to the current administration — and recently released a detailed snow removal plan following widespread frustration with the city’s response to the last major winter storm.

We talk about what went wrong during the storm, what Morales says City Hall needs to change, and whether a movement-driven campaign can overcome the advantages of an incumbent mayor. Plus, how Morales is thinking about coalition-building, voter turnout, and whether Providence is ready for a Mamdani-style political upset.

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Rhode Island’s political landscape shifted this week when House Speaker Joe Shekarchi announced he will not run for governor — clearing the way for a likely head-to-head Democratic primary between Governor Dan McKee and Helena Foulkes.

In the opening segment, Bill reacts to what Shekarchi’s decision means for the governor’s race, the balance of power inside the Democratic Party, and how the 2026 election is already coming into focus.

Then, Bill sits down with Kim Ahern, Democratic candidate for Rhode Island Attorney General. With more prosecutorial experience than any other candidate in the primary, Ahern discusses how she views the role of the Attorney General, how power should be exercised in the office, and what accountability, public safety, and justice look like in this moment.

With four legitimate candidates in the Democratic primary, the Attorney General’s race is shaping up to be one of the most important — and substantive — contests on the ballot.

Topics Include:

• Joe Shekarchi’s decision not to run for governor
• The emerging McKee vs. Foulkes Democratic primary
• What this moment signals about power inside Rhode Island politics
• Why the Attorney General’s race deserves attention
• Kim Ahern’s prosecutorial background and governing philosophy
• Public safety, reform, and the future of the AG’s office

Guest:
Kim Ahern — Democratic candidate for Rhode Island Attorney General

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Last week, a man died in the cold on the streets of Providence — a tragic reminder of the stakes in Rhode Island’s ongoing unhoused crisis.

On this episode, we’re joined by Harrison Tuttle, a Rhode Island–based organizer and housing justice advocate, to talk about what’s driving homelessness in the state, why existing systems continue to fail people in crisis, and what his organization is doing right now to get people housed.

We discuss the realities of street homelessness, the shortage of shelter and permanent housing, the role of government at the state and municipal level, and why advocates argue that homelessness is not inevitable — but the result of policy choices.

This conversation also examines how the public talks about homelessness, the human cost of inaction, and what meaningful solutions could look like if Rhode Island treated housing as a public good rather than a market commodity.

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Helena Buonanno Foulkes, Democratic candidate for governor of Rhode Island, joins the podcast for an in-person conversation about her renewed run for the state’s top job. Foulkes previously mounted a competitive primary challenge against Governor Dan McKee in 2022, reshaping the Democratic field and signaling voter appetite for change.

In this interview, Foulkes reflects on the lessons of her first campaign, how her approach has evolved, and what she believes Rhode Island residents are demanding from their next governor. We discuss housing affordability, economic competitiveness, trust in government, and whether executive leadership from outside traditional politics can translate into effective governance at the State House.

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In the aftermath of the killing of two American citizens in Minneapolis and amid heightened resistance to federal immigration enforcement actions, many organizations are facing pressure to respond — publicly, internally, or both.

Mike Raia, founder and president of Half Street Group, joins the show to offer guidance on how organizations can navigate moments of crisis and political sensitivity, including:

• When speaking out helps — and when it backfires
• The risks of silence versus poorly timed statements
• How values, stakeholders, and long-term credibility should shape response strategies

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onight at Providence City Hall, members of the City Council will formally introduce a rent stabilization ordinance aimed at limiting annual rent increases in the city.

Supporters argue the proposal is a necessary response to rapidly rising rents, housing insecurity, and displacement in one of the tightest rental markets in the country. Critics warn rent stabilization could discourage new housing construction, reduce investment, and create unintended long-term consequences.

In this episode, we’re joined by Providence City Councilor Sue AnderBois, a leading proponent of the plan, to walk through what’s being proposed, why she believes the policy is needed now, and how the ordinance is designed to balance tenant protections with concerns from landlords and developers.

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